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  Blaktrix Interview
interview 0398 added
03.05.06 words:
Kane
technical:
QED
After a productive year in the studio
Blaktrix is back with his follow up,
The Blixtape. With Blues & Soul magazine stating that recent EP What
Shall Be ‘Proves that not all the best British Hip hop comes out of
London’, and having heard it we might just agree. New UKHH.com
heavyweight writer Kane catches up with one of Cardiff’s’ finest.
For those who don’t
know, please introduce yourself.
 Blaktrix,
Blix, son goku and veto skreemer, that fucking rapper killing things up
North and South-West.
So what’s been
happening recently?
I have been mad busy for the last 18 months, I haven’t stopped writing
and working in the studio so having brought out 3 EP’s and now The
Blixtape I’m gonna relax until June.
What’s your label
situation at the moment, because I know there were some issues a while
back with SFDB?
Well I’d rather not talk about them, but as far as my current situations
concerned I’ve been releasing material via Dial Up Records. Which is
basically Optimus Prime’s label, who have been tearing things up in
Cardiff for about 6/7 years now. I’ve also been doing a lot of work with
Rola from the Numskullz. I owe Rola and Stagger (Optimus Prime) so much,
I will work with these guys as much as they want me to. But I’m not
signed as such, it’s more of a friend thing really so I can still work
with anyone from any label.
So how has that
worked with financial support?
Right from the start I never wanted to put any of my own money into my
music, if other people like it then they will and fortunately, have put
money into it.
“...All
these rappers from London come up to Cardiff and say ‘it’s easy for you,
there’s no competition up here’ well that’s bollocks. I will smash it
anywhere; Bristol, London, Manchester...”
What’s your feelings
on the current ‘scene’ in this country do you think it’s going well?
 It’s
shit mate. The scene in this country is proper shit, it’s completely
unprofessional. Middle class white men are appropriating it. These
people are happy to make sure genuine acts don’t get paid and the
watered down glorified pop acts do, there’s a real lack of artistic
integrity. Don’t get me wrong, there have been successes, I grew up
listening to Skinnyman, Task Force, Lewis Parker, Supa T, Rodney P but
right now there is no one new who interests me.
So your not feeling
anyone from more recent times whatsoever?
Well, there are a few people I like. The Colony, Dubbledge has a lot of
talent also Roots Manuva has always done his own thing so I can respect
him for that. But otherwise that’s about it. It’s like musically this
whole ‘Urban’ thing has swallowed everything up, it doesn’t leave a lot
of room for experimentation.
Its true! Its like
why cant national awards merit Hip hop as it stands, a significant
element of music in general rather than denote it as ‘best urban act’.
So you do listen to other music’s then?
Yeah, course I like stuff like Johnny Cash, Pete Tosh, Tricky and this
girl called Joanna Newsome, a Harp player from the US. But saying that
I’m always listening to rap.
What about stuff
like Grime? Don’t you think, even in your opinion of Hip hops current
poor state, it’s a positive thing that it can still inspire other
movements in this country such as Grime?
Its not really my cup of PG but I respect what it stands for. It’s
genuine it’s from the streets and for the streets I suppose. I think its
more original than a lot of the Hip hop being produced in this country
at the moment.
“...Musically
this whole ‘Urban’ thing has swallowed everything up, it doesn’t leave a
lot of room for experimentation...”
Do you feel that
it’s inevitable to progress on a professional level you will need to
relocate to London?
 No.
I would never move to London for Hip hop. I love Hip hop and making the
music but I don’t feel I owe Hip hop anything or I’m owed by ‘it’. All
these rappers from London come up to Cardiff and say ‘it’s easy for you,
there’s no competition up here’ well that’s bollocks. I will smash it
anywhere; Bristol, London, Manchester.
Listening to your
previous 3 EP’s there seems to be a political theme, nothing to in your
face and autocratic, but an awareness of politics and some of the
underlying issues effecting our current social environment. If your
music has a message is this an important part of it?
Yes, it is. The ‘What Shall Be’ EP is a real progression for me as an
artist, there’s a few songs in particular; Knowledge Yourself, Right to
Reply (from the Trust EP) and Fight (What Shall Be) that really typify
the spirit. I like to bring a consciousness back, I’ve lived all around
the country and my background is mixed race so it feels like I’ve seen
both sides and experience things with objectivity. My ideals are to
address real issues, but also to look at how were addressing each other.
But then it’s not all serious, I like to have a good time. Although
saying that I also like to piss people off.
Ok, so it’s not
about getting jiggy, bling-bling and hoes then?
 No.
Afraid not bruv.
Ha, ha, thought so.
Any shout outs/plugs before we go?
Yeah watch out for the Blixtape and big up PLO, Gritty, Mudmowth, Ralph
Rip Shit and Sir Beans OBE, can’t wait for that project. Big up Tissimo
and Mayor and Ruffstylz.
-
Kane
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